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A month by month journey through some of my favourite stories, addresses and discoveries in 2013

The year started with a debut trip to the Maison & Objet home décor show. I shared my coups de coeur and discoveries in a short tuesday trésors series. These two adorable little devils became my studio mascots and started the year in Doggie Style!

The detox was quickly neglected as I began to eat my way through Paris, arrondissement by arrondissement with the lovely Parisian foodie expert Sarah who shared her Top 20 Bistros of Paris.

Lauren invited us over for coffee and shared her style tips, addresses and brought us on a little tour of her apartment by the banks of the Canal St Martin.

In February, during Paris Fashion Week, I met with the fashion designer Sharon Wauchob to chat about the inspiration behind her Spring collection and to snap some of her personal favourites. Her Fall 2013 show was one of my favourites from Paris Fashion Week.

Since moving to Paris, I had always dreamed about attending a major show during Fashion Week. My dream came true last year when I was invited to attend the Nina Ricci show. It hit a High Note for me. I tried my hand at fashion reportage and photography and I absolutely fell in love. It’s something I hope to continue to do more of this year.

The ballet dancer was certainly in the air during fashion week. Inspired by the dancers’ shoe (the ballerina), I wanted to dig deeper into the sole of French style. Along with Sarah we curated a special guide on the ballet flat. For Spring, we showed you how to get on the right foot with the left bank shoe!

A morning spent with the lovely Carin (my partner in sweet Parisian crimes) eating our way through the menu at the new Rose Bakery at Lé Bon Marché got April on its way!

From the Rose bakery to a secret rose garden with a true English Rose (the lovely Sophie) sparked my imagination for a #secretgarden series.

A morning with the lovely Shannon, where we fell in love with her new Summer shopper from our favourite bakery, got me into Summer mode.

As temperatures soared in Summer, it was HIP and hot in the city. I hit the street with my camera in search of style inspiration. I shared my cool & chic finds in my first feature article for the HIP Blog.

Exploring the secret garden of a Chateau just outside of Paris, lit up at nightfall with thousands of candles, was a midsummer’s night dream.

Summer time and the living is easy. If there ever was a perfect place to have breakfast en terrace, it was here. The perfect starting place for adventures along the Normandy coast.

I had waited all Summer to visit this place plotting and planning how to get there. Granville is not the easiest place to get to even by car. The town and hotels in Granville didn’t look so inviting. So we decided to stay in Honfleur and drive to Granville. It took a few hours drive from Honfleur in the soaring heat, but it was worth every effort to finally visit Christian Dior’s house and garden. Just over these cliffs below, there was a perfect bay for swimming. So after a morning photographing the house and garden in the heat, I couldn’t wait to dive into that fresh water for my first open water swim of the year!

Honfleur was truly picture perfect. I fell in love with the doors of Honfleur, which I hope to share here soon.

My favourite address and discovery of the year, where I have been frequenting weekly since its opening last Autumn. The most beautiful studio in Paris, Chez Studio K.

I wouldn’t have made it through some days without lots of coffee, chocolate and inspiring reads. Each month I brought you some of my buys and books that I curated and showcased through the ‘On the Coffee Table’ feature. My favourite feature of the month.

The style in Paris, continues to inspire me. It’s everywhere you go, it’s in the air.

During Autumn in search of all those beautiful colours, I escaped the city for long walks to the countryside. This spot was one of my favourites.

As part of my job, interviewing people is one of my favourite aspects. Interviewing Don O’ Neill and capturing his beautiful dresses at Le Meurice Hotel was a very special morning. Don’s stories of starting his career as a fashion designer in Paris are legendary.

Getting into the festive mood, the Christmas windows in Paris have a magnetic and magical pull. My favourite below.

A Coffee with Kate was my December highlight and many cosy breakfasts at Claus have followed since…

Finishing the year with a collection of my small treasures and finds for Christmas.

It’s been a great year, full of unexpected surprises, some trials, some highs, but most of all filled with special memories with the people I have met, the places I have discovered, and the experiences along the way. I wanted to thank you, my readers for joining me here.

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4 comments

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the beautiful photos to inspire a lover of France and everything French who lives so far away in New Zealand. It gives me so much inspiration and allows me to continue dreaming.